Voronin fined for trip to nightclub

Voronin, 33, was caught out by the German club last week after having called the following morning to say he could not attend training as he was ill.

A statement was released by the club on Thursday which read: "Fortuna Dusseldorf has reacted to the misbehaviour of player Andrey Voronin last Tuesday and has sanctioned the 33-year-old. The striker has been handed a disciplinary warning and a fine."

Dusseldorf manager Norbert Meier was far from impressed and has hit out at the former Liverpool man's reckless behaviour.

"I first heard this story on Wednesday morning," he told the Rheinische Post. "I have only seen the pictures this morning.

"It rankles me, I have to grapple with these things. I have other, more important things to do. It gets on my nerves.

"Nobody is interested in who is injured, other stories make the news. And we deliver the news by ourselves."

Voronin issued an apology on Thursday for the trouble he has caused but insists he did not drink any alcohol.

"I have apologised to the club, it was my mistake. I am sorry," he told Bild.

"The fact is I did not drink any alcohol. I was on antibiotics. Friends of mine wanted to celebrate my wife's birthday with us. That's why we spent three hours in the disco."

After reporting to the club on Thursday, Voronin saw the doctor who sent him back onto the training pitch. However, according to the Rheinische Post, the player left the training ground without taking part in training.

Fortuna Dusseldorf are currently preparing for their match with Werder Bremen on Sunday and face a long fight to avoid relegation in their first season in the top flight for 15 years.